Definition of the word run on

The phrase "run on" is used to describe a situation where a series of ideas or sentences in a written text continue without any clear or logical transition, as if they are "running on" without interruption. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to typography, which is the art and science of arranging type in written language to make it legible and appealing when printed. In typesetting, the term "run-on" was used to describe a line of type that did not break at the end of a sentence or clause, but rather continued on to the next line without a space between words, causing it to run together without a clear break or separation. The earliest recorded use of the term "run on" in this context was in 1865, in a typesetting manual by American printer Nathaniel amery shurtleff. The manual described the importance of preventing run-ons in typography, stating that "an indiscriminate run-on is unsightly and confusing, and should be avoided in all cases." Over time, the term "run on" came to be used more broadly to describe situations where ideas or sentences flow together without a clear separation or transition, both in printed text and in spoken language. Today, the phrase is commonly used as a critical evaluation of writing that lacks clarity or coherence, particularly in academic or technical contexts where precision and logical structure are essential.